Rotary sprinkler for athletic fields



sept. 1o, 1935. J. H. KEYS 2,013,849

I ROTARY SPRINKLER FOR ATHLETIC FIELDS Filed Aug. 29, 1933 Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNETED STATES man ROTARY SPRINKLER FOR ATHLETIC FIELDS John H. Keys, Dayton, Ohio Application August 29,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to water distribution and more particularly to an automatic sprinkler of the rotary type adapted for athletic iields. The invention pertains to a rotary sprinkler head pro- 5 vided with suitable discharge nozzles, the head being vertically movable into and out of positions by variations of the water supply pressure, the sprinkler head being retracted into a sunken receiver or container within which a sprinkler is concealed when not in use. The parts exposed to the surface of the ground when not in use are made of a resilient material so that players coming in contact with the exposed portion when in inoperative position will not be injured any more than coming in contact with the surrounding surface of the ground,

An object of this invention is to provide a sprinkler having an operative and inoperative position such that the sprinkler when in inoperative position will not be a hazard tc the players on the field.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of such automatic sprinklers, whereby they will not only be cheapenedin construction but will be more efficient in use, positive in use, uniform in action, easily controlled and not likely to get out of repair.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sprinkler that when in inoperative position presents a surface upon which the player on the field will not readily slip.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in View, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts in combination thereof and the mode of operation or their equivalents as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing wherein is shown the preferred but not necessarily the only embodiment of the invention, Fig. l is a perspective view of the sprinkler forming the subject matter hereof with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the sprinkler in operative position. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sprinkler when in inoperative position. Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The automatic sprinkler forming the subject matter hereof is intended for use in athletic fields such as football fields, golf courses, baseball diamonds, etc., where conventional sprinklers now appearing on the market are objectionable in that they are a hazard to the players by ex- 1933, Serial No. 687,257

posing metallic parts. In-the sprinkler forming the subject matter hereof, the parts exposed to the surface when the sprinkler is in inoperative position are made of a resilient material so that if the football player falls on the sprinkler he will not be cut or injured as the exposed parts yield. Another disadvantage with many of the sprinklers now in use is the smooth slippery surface which is a hazard to the players. In this invention a roughened surface has been provided so as to prevent the player from slipping.

In the drawing, l is a sunken housing for the sprinkler head which is embodied in the earth. This housing is made from a tubular member 2 connected to a suitable supply 3 through an elbow l5 i. The housing l also includes a sprinkler head retainer 5 provided with a cylindrical bore 6 through which a plunger 'l is free to reciprocate in response to the pressure of the water. When the water is turned off this plunger 'l drops into 20 the inoperative position disclosed in Fig. 1 and when the water is turned on the plunger raises the head 8 to the position disclosed in Fig. 2. The retainer 5 is preferably made kof a suitable metal which terminates at Si, adjacent to which a tubular sleeve i0 of rubber or other suitable resilient material is attached by suitable screws. An annular reenforcing member I l is preferably used to strengthen the tubular sleeve i6 adjacent to its engagement with the housing 5. The tubular sleeve Il) terminates flush with the surface of the surrounding ground. An explanation of the operation of the working parts of the sprinklerhead is not here deemed necessary as similar sprinkler heads .are disclosed in my Patent #1,665,371 granted April l0, 1928, and my Patent #1,605,242 granted November 2, 1926.

The cap for the rotary sprinkler 8 includes an annular base plate l2 supporting a dome-shaped metallic member I4 united with a resilient cap I6 40 made of rubber or other suitable material. The cap I6 is provided with a ilange that is seated upon and registers with the upper portion of the tubular sleeve il! when the sprinkler is in inoperative position. This cap I6 is provided with a plurality of pyramidal recesses I8 which form a rough surface in the top which prevents the player from slipping when stepping on the cap.

Thus when the sprinkler is in inoperative position it presents a flexible or resilient surface which is substantially flush with the ground surface and which is roughened to prevent slipping. The rotary sprinkler disclosed herein has been found well suited for sprinkling football fields, golf courses and baseball diamonds, and the like.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specic as to -structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into eiIect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications Within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a disappearing sprinkler assembly the combination including a submerged container including a metallic housing terminating in an annular ring tapering towards the top, terminating below the surface and a resilient annular member enclosing the inner and outer surfaces of said ring, said annular member terminating flush with the surrounding surface.

2. In a disappearing sprinkler assembly the combination including a submerged container terminating in an annular ring substantially flush with the surrounding surface, and a water pressure responsive core including a metallic base plate, a resilient cap attached to said base plate fitting said annular ring to present a surface flush with the surrounding surface, said cap having a dome-shaped cavity for receiving a domeshaped reinforcing member mounted upon said base plate.

3. In a -submerged sprinkler structure the combination of a retainer including a metallic tubular member terminating below the surface of the ground, and a resilient member having an annular cleft in its lower edge in which is seated the upper edge of the metallic member with a movable member actuated by the water pressure, said movable member including a resilient cap seated in the retainer when submerged, the diameter of the resilient cap being substantially equal to the height thereof so as to present a cushioned surface.

4. In a submerged sprinkler assembly, a tubular retainer having its upper portion formed of resilient material and a plunger the top of which is normally flush with the surrounding surface, said plunger including a plate the diameter of which approaches the inside diameter of said retainer and a resilient member mounted upon said plate, the height of which is greater than the diameter of the plate, said resilient member forming a closure for said retainer.

5. In a submerged sprinkler structure having disappearing sprinklers the combination of a tubular retainer having its upper portion formed of resilient material with a movable member actuated in response to Water pressure, said movable member including a base plate mounted above the sprinklers the diameter of said plate approaches the inner diameter of the tubular member and a resilient cap mounted upon said base plate for closing the tubular member, the height of said cap being greater than the diameter of said base plate so as to present a cushioned surface.

6. In a submerged sprinkler structure the combination of a retainer including a tubular member having its upper portion formed of resilient material with a movable plunger actuated in response to the water pressure and a resilient cap for said plunger normally closing said tubular member, said cap being substantially cylindrically shaped provided with a flange, the height of the cap being substantially equal to its diameter so as to present a yielding surface.

'7. In a disappearing sprinkler assembly, the combination including a submerged container including a rigid housing terminating in a supporting member located below the surface and a resilient annular member mounted upon said supporting member and terminating flush with the surrounding surface, said supporting member being embedded in said resilient ring to reenforce it.

8. In a disappearing sprinkler assembly, the combination including a submerged container including a metallic housing terminating in a supporting member located below the surface and a resilient member mounted upon said supporting member to present a resilient enclosure substantially flush with the surrounding surface, said supporting member being embedded in said resilient member to reenforce it.

JOHN H. KEYS. 

